Scroll through to see examples of my work, or use the table of contents below to jump to a section.
Designing and developing meaningful and exciting learning is one of my favorite things, especially when technology is involved.
I have experience designing instruction in the following areas:
formal classroom settings from middle school to graduate students
non-formal youth programming from one-time events to week-long residential camps
training for adult learners in non-formal settings
training and professional development in workplace settings, primarily university faculty and staff
I conducted this needs assessment to help me proceed strategically by identifying current resources and assets and the gaps that could be filled.
Skills: needs analysis, training assessment, front-end analysis, creativity
Good learning (especially e-learning) starts with good storyboarding. Here are some examples of design documents and storyboards created for e-learning modules.
Skills: organization, analysis, development, content development
Learning can happen almost anywhere anytime. E-learning is a major contributor to this. But meaningful e-learning has to be more than a video of a narrated slide presentation. And, sometimes, e-learning isn't the solution at all!
Below are examples of my e-learning design and development abilities.
“Foreign Corrupt Practices Act” had a feeling of a James Bond adventure, so I went with an action/adventure/spy theme for this module to build some intrigue and excitement for what could be a boring and mundane topic.
Software: Adobe Captivate
Format: asynchronous, self-directed e-learning module
Audience: adult learners; employees of higher education institutions working with foreign entities
Features: scenario-based, interactivity, real-world examples
Child abuse and neglect can be a heavy and upsetting topic. This module presents the information in a scenario with cartoon characters while still maintaining a professional and serious tone. AI voice narration is used throughout for the main narrator and for difference voices in scenarios.
Software: Articulate Storyline
Format: asynchronous, self-directed e-learning module
Audience: adult learners and college students
Features: module branches based on the learner’s role; scenario-based, interactivity, AI voice narration
This custom drag-and-drop activity is found in the Mandatory Reporting module. It was created "from scratch" using Articulate Storyline.
Software: Articulate Rise
Format: asynchronous, self-directed e-learning module
Audience: adult learners (university employees)
Features: Chunking, interactivity, knowledge checks
Certain employees of educational institutions are required to report incidents of harassment. This module presents the background information and responsibilities in short, concise chunks of information with immediate opportunities to practice via knowledge checks.
This is a video-based educational module with knowledge checks throughout. It is meant to be a module for learners new to the organization, so it has a slower, more deliberate pace. This module was retired and recreated in Storyline to offer more interactivity.
Software: Camtasia
Format: asynchronous video-based
Audience: adult learners (university employees)
Features: Video, scenario, knowledge checks
I worked with an editor, graphic designer, and other subject matter experts in 2016 to redesign and develop the 4-H garden curriculum. The curriculum includes four levels for youth in grades 3 through 12 and a Helper’s Guide for adults. Each level includes content with hands-on activities. I analyzed each lesson and the learning objectives to reorganize lessons and integrate new developmentally appropriate content.
Software: Google Docs, Google Slides, PollEverywhere, Mentimeter, DirectPoll, Google Q&A, Slido
Format: synchronous face-to-face or virtual
Audience: adult learners
Features: immediate application (considering adult learning theory), educational technology tools, hands-on practice
I am proficient at designing in-person and virtual workshops, including handouts and job aids to supplement learning.
One popular workshop I designed and delivered was a train-the-trainer workshop focused on polling tools to increase learner engagement in non-formal learning events.
Keeping audiences engaged in presentations and figuring out if learners are learning anything can be challenging. This handout accompanies a presentation that discusses when, why, and how to use various platforms to engage audiences or assess knowledge gain or behavior change.
Before the COVID-19 pandemic pushed many learning events online, I was working with professionals to enhance their webinar abilities to reach new audiences and create more valuable synchronous online learning opportunities.
Here is an example of a webinar I designed and delivered for university staff to learn how to better deliver webinars. I created two job aids to supplement this including a template for hosting a one hour webinar and a webinar hosting cheat sheet.
What people need are opportunities to explore and experiment with new technologies in a safe place where mistakes don’t matter. I accomplished this through Tech Sandboxes, where a few colleagues and I would join virtually and simply play with technology, just like we would play in the sandbox as a kid. There were no mistakes, and we could create whatever we wanted. By the end, though, participants had created something they could use immediately in their work.
In 2018 I was working as an educational technology advisor for Purdue Extension. In that role, one of my primary objectives was to present new ideas, whether software or a practice, that would reach and teach new audiences. I was asked to present at a professional development conference. While racking my brain to come up with something meaningful, I chose microlearning. Microlearning was new (to us), innovative, and fit perfectly with the organization. I developed two separate workshops with hands-on activities to help others develop educational microlearning.
Video is a necessary format for learning today. I am proficient in developing videos across various platforms, including Camtasia, Canva, and Adobe Spark. The video at the right was created to add to an e-learning module to develop interest and motivation in learners.
Evaluating learning happens at all levels – from piloting an e-learning module before launch to gathering learner feedback and evaluating the outcomes of the training.
As important as evaluation is, it is often the most overlooked. I strive to incorporate evaluation that captures useful feedback from learners to improve the learning event. This often occurs as a post-training evaluation (often using Kirkpatrick's Model). Specific examples are not shared here but are available upon request. At the left is a screenshot of learner feedback from the Amorous Relationships module highlighted in the design section above.